Question: If we are to believe OT prophecies about Jesus, aren’t we also to believe OT prophecies ...

August 1, 2018

TBC Staff

Question: If we are to believe OT prophecies about Jesus, aren’t we also to believe OT prophecies about Mary? The Catholic Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN] has posted articles with lists of these prophecies.

Response: To come up with these conclusions, Catholics must “read into” the Scriptures meanings that aren’t there. EWTN provides a list regarding “prophetic” scriptures referring to Mary: 1) Old Testament Prophecies of Mary; 2) Old Testament Pre-figurings of Mary; 3) Daughter of Zion, 4) Ark of the Covenant. One has to exercise great imagination to turn the phrase “Daughter of Zion” into a prophetic scripture of Mary! The phrase occurs several times in the Old Testament, mostly in the prophetic Scriptures. “Zion” has always applied to Jerusalem—and also to Israel—as the people of God. Thus, the “Daughter of Zion” does not refer to a specific person such as Mary. It’s actually a metaphor for Israel that also refers to the relationship God has with His chosen people.

It’s true that Scripture states, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Even in that, however, we see that the focus is to be on the Messiah to come. Mary’s conception of Jesus is a sign of His coming, but He himself is the focus.

Any attempt to find a prophetic focus on Mary in the Ark of the Covenant only serves to obscure the absolute focus on our Lord. In John:5:39, speaking of the Old Testament Scriptures, Jesus specifically said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me [emphasis added].”

In Luke:1:34, concerning her announced pregnancy, Mary asks “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” The Catholics try to use that verse as proof that Mary had made a vow of continual virginity. But we have Scriptures such as Matthew:13:55-56, which plainly states, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” Catholics claim that this refers to either stepbrothers and sisters or cousins. Yet, the words, context, and plain meaning will not allow this wresting of Scripture to stand. Furthermore, Matthew:1:25 clearly states that Joseph had no sexual relations with his wife “...till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS [emphasis added].”